Orchestra FAQ's

Time Commitment:

Students are expected to attend their large group and small group lessons each week. Once registered, students are expected to participate for the entirety of their 4th Grade year. There will be ups and downs, but it is important to commit and persevere throughout the year.

How do I get an instrument?

Check out "The Instruments" tab on this website and scroll to the bottom for more information!

What's the difference between renting an instrument and buying an instrument?

Because beginning orchestra students often start on fractional-sized instruments, many families choose to rent so that they can easily trade out the instrument for the next biggest size when their student grows. Some families may choose to buy if their student has younger siblings who will be in orchestra, or simply if they wish to own the instrument. Good-quality fractional size instruments often cost between $200-$400 and rentals usually cost around $18-$30/month.

What do I need to know about taking care of the instrument?

String instruments are fragile and can break easily if students are not careful. We will teach students how to properly take their instrument out of the case and how to handle it. A few things to know- String instruments are made out of wood and can crack in extreme temperatures. Never leave the instrument in an extremely hot or extremely cold car as damage may occur. Similarly, dry winter air can cause damage. Do not store your instrument near a heater or vent. Sometimes we add extra humidity to instruments in the winter with a device called a Damp-It. If your student's instrument is consistently going out of tune in the winter, you may want to consider purchasing a Damp-It or making a homemade device with an old pill bottle and cotton balls to protect the instrument. The wooden bridge on the instrument sometimes falls down- NEVER glue it to the instrument! Instead, contact your teacher right away. Try to avoid teaching the horsehair on the bow as finger oils can discolor it. Finally, only use a clean, dry cotton cloth to clean your instrument and bow. Furniture polish or water can damage the varnish. Check out the instrument care page under the orchestra resources tab for more tips!

What do I do if the instrument breaks?!?

First of all- don’t panic. These things happen! Let your teacher know what’s going on with the instrument right away so that they can address the issue before class begins if possible. Check out an instrument chart online if you’d like assistance describing WHERE the issue is on the instrument. Your teacher will let you know as soon as possible whether they are able to fix or whether it needs to be sent in to a musical repair person. Please do not attempt to fix the instrument at home! Even if you consider yourself handy around the house, wait for teacher's “ok” before you do anything.

How much do I practice?

A good rule of thumb for 4th Grade Orchestra students is to practice 15-20 minutes for three to five days a week. Remember- continuity is more important than quantity! See the page marked “Practice Tips” for more information.

How do I know how my child is doing in orchestra?

Orchestra will not appear on your child’s report card, but you will receive an Orchestra Progress Report at the end of each trimester. You may also occasionally receive a playing check assessment, which is an informal check-in about your students’ playing. Another way to informally check in with your student is to go through some of the practice tasks listed on their weekly practice assignment or to contact your child's teacher with concerns.

What if my child forgets their instrument/materials on orchestra days?

As a family, brainstorm ways to remember to bring the instrument to school on the correct day. Maybe you need a phone reminder or need to set the instrument next to your child's backpack the night before. Your child should still come to their assigned large and small group times even if they forget their instrument. Sometimes we might have an extra instrument for the student to borrow, but at the very least, it is important your child hears the information in that day's lesson so they stay on track with their learning.

How do I sign my child up for orchestra?

Each May, orchestra teachers visit 3rd grade classrooms and discuss 4th grade orchestra. Students learn about their instrument choices and are given an opportunity to try instruments out to find the one they like best. After this introduction, a letter is emailed home to families with a registration link for 4th grade orchestra. In June, we also hold an instrument sizing and parent informational meeting. Throughout the rest of the year, families can email their school's orchestra teacher for more information on how to join.